The closure of the outdoor areas of take-away businesses in the Graubünden ski areas is counterproductive in every respect. The orderly operation of the terraces has made it possible to separate guests into groups of four and thus provide good protection against infections. Instead of groups of four, however, the guests will now come together in groups of up to 15 people.
The decision to close the outdoor areas of take-away establishments in ski areas is wrong for a number of reasons. Instead of sitting at tables in groups of four, take-away guests can now gather in groups of up to 15 people and eat and drink together without hygiene regulations or minimum distances. From an epidemiological point of view, this is a clear worsening.
From the point of view of mountain catering, one of the last small business areas is now being curtailed in such a way that the affected businesses must once again ask themselves whether they are closing their businesses.
However, it is in the interest of guests and their health if as many dining options as possible remain open in the ski areas. This is the only way to disperse guests in the areas and avoid crowds of people.
Testing: Now more than ever!
The fact that the Graubünden government has decided in return to cover the entire costs of the operational tests is very welcome. The tests are running excellently and their significance has increased against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the ski areas.
The “Corona II Engadin” task force is now calling on all companies in Grisons to take part in the tests and motivate their employees to do the same.
The well-functioning protection concepts of the Graubünden companies and the canton's multi-pillar strategy with operational and area tests supported by the municipalities of southern Graubünden have proven that they are effective remedies against the pandemic. The position of the federal government, which appears to still ignore these efforts, is incomprehensible.
The task force calls on the Graubünden government not to give up, to reconsider its decision despite massive pressure from the federal government and to do everything possible to ensure that those responsible at federal level abandon their incomprehensible, counterproductive stance on this issue.
Christian Gartmann is the initiator and head of the “Corona II Engadin” task force.